Oxford, small worlds and random acts of kindness

Last night I was in Oxford, a city so beautiful at night it can seem enchanted. I was there to indulge in a little random act of kindness (more on that later) and for the opening of Small worlds, the art of the invisible, an exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford. A collaboration of artist Heather Barnett and poet Will Holloway, it features animation, poetry, microbe printed wallpaper and microscopic oddities galore. It’s on until April, so if you are in Oxford between then and now it’s definitely worth a look. I’d been looking forward to this for ages; Will is a friend of mine and it was lovely to see and hear the finished work at last. I’ve never been to this museum before and the permanent collection is also wonderful, I think I’ll be going back there to spend a day gazing at beautiful shiny scientific instruments.

Of course we had to toast the momentous occasion and a few of us found ourselves in the pub opposite, where delicious beer was to be had. While there I left some treasure behind, a small necklace as a present for whoever finds it first. I’ve always loved the idea of anonymous or random kindnesses and I’ve resolved to act on my impulse whenever inspiration strikes. True enough I got my reward – I arrived back in London in the early hours of next morning, and on the walk home from the bus stop I saw five foxes!

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